Headlamp for physicians and surgeons



Sept. 8, 1953 Filed NOV. 1, 1951 FIG-(1.

w. G. ALLYNIETAL I 2 shpazssneez 1 I 2,651,301 Y HEADLAMP FOR PHYSICIAN-S AND SURGEONS Y P 3,1953 s. ALLYN :rm. 2,651,301

I HEADLAMP FOR PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS Filed Nov. 1,-1951- 2 Sheets-She et 2 Patented Sept. 8, 1953 HEADLAMP FOR PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS William G. Allyn, Auburn, Frederick McK. Scott, Skaneateles, and Ernest H. Greppin, Rochester, N. Y.,. assignors to Welch Allyn, Inc., Auburn, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application November 1, 1951, .Serial'No. 254,277

18 Claims. 7 l

The present invention relates to headlamps for physicians and surgeons, and more particularly toan improved headlamp assembly for effectively illuminating the field of observation of a patient.

It is essential in certain medical procedures that the physician or surgeon have his hands free for manipulatingvarious surgical, diagnostic or therapeutic instruments, and at the same time, that the particular area of the patient which the physician or surgeon is treating or observing be adequately illuminated. For these purposes, doctors have heretofore customarily utilized such devices as a reflector or head mirror carried by an adjustable headband which is mounted on the doctors head to reflect light from a separate lamp or light source onto the objective to be observed.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a headlamp forphysicians and surgeons which is capable of intensely illuminating an object with a .beam of light that vis substantially shadow-free or in which shadows are'reduced to a minimum, thereby greatly facili- I tating the surgical, diagnostic .or therapeutic treatment, as the case may be Another object is to provide such a headlamp which enables clear andunobstructed .vision of an object through sight openings of improved shape and arrangement provided in the reflector supporting part of said headlamp, and giving the user greater side visibility than isusua'lly allowed in the case of conventional headlamps hereto fore used in the medical field.

A further object is to provide a headlamp which is universally mounted in improved manner on a supporting band adapted to :be'secured about the head of the user.

Still another object. is to provide :a headlamp for physicians and surgeons which attains the foregoing objects by means of an improved iconstruction which comprises a combination of elements. which are .so arranged as 'to be readily assembled and/or disassembled with facility, and when assembled, bein exceptionally strong and durable and including a reflector portion surrounding :a light source or electric bulb, whereby an intense light in which shadows are reduced' to a minimum is provided by the utilization .of the direct light. from the bulb in-combination with the reflected or indirect light from the reflector, with both the direct and the 'indirect light focused on a common field of appropriate area vatthe usual working range when mountedon the head of the user. 1 p Other objects and advantages of the invention 2 will be hereinafter described and the novel features thereof defined in the appended claims;

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a headlamp made in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the assembly in front elevation; t

Figure 3-is an enlarged view in vertical section, as taken approximately on the line-3-3 of Figure 2, with certain of the parts shown in olevation; I

Figure 4 is a view in transverse, vertical section, as taken on the line 44 of Figure 3, lookin in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a view in horizontal section, as taken .on the line 5-5of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of the rear closure plate for the base of the lamp, this clo sure also. being adapted to coact with the base to relieve any strain from the electrical connections in the base.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings, wherein I designates aflex-ible headband having suitable means, such as aconventional buckle 2, for adjusting the size of the headband to fit the head of a physician, surgeon or the like, who is using the headlamp. The front .of the headband is preferably provided with a cushion .or pad 3 which is adapted to contact the forehead of the user of the headlamp. Also mounted on the front portion of the headband l is a supporting plate 4, this plate being secured to the band I by means of a suitable number of fasteners, such as rivets 5, which extend through the plate 4, the headband I, and into a rigid plate :6 at the inner side of the band 1., thereby clamping the headband I intermediate the plates A and 6.

Carried by the supporting plate "5 is a supportp'ost-mernber 1- which is preferably provided with a ball head 8 at its-outer end, the ball 8 having a--pair=of-oppos-itely disposed pivot pins 9 extending outwardly therefrom on diametrically opposite sides thereof. Pivota-lly mounted for upward and downward movements on the respective pins 9 is a pair of links 16, the outer or free ends of these links each having a small opening forming a recess ll, whereby to universally engage aball 12 of a'supporting member or arm [3, an adjusting or clamping screw =I-4'preferably being provided for adjusting the frictional contact between the links lo and the balls '8 and 12 to thereby provide a, universally adjustable support which is sufficiently .rigid' or stiff to support material, although any other desired material may be utilized, if preferred, this base being provided with a laterally or upwardly-offset portion IS. The rear end of the base I5 is provided with an open recess ll which extends laterally through the offset portion. l6, the recess H being deepened in the portion l6 to form a depression I8. Adapted to close the recess I! is a 3 specially constructed closure plate member I9 which includes a disc-like portion which is tegral unit made of a suitable transparent mate- .rial, such as, for instance, Lucite or the like,

adapted to seat on a shoulder 2| formed on the L;

base l5 about the periphery of the opening IT. The closure I9 has a laterally offset portion 22 which is complementary to the portion l6 of the base IE to form a, circular neck portion. The oifset portion 22 of the closure I9 is provided with a projection 23 which is adapted to engage an electrical conductor cord 24 and to deform the conductor cord 24 and depress the same into the depression l8 to relieve any strain on the electrical terminals 25 within the base, incident to any strain or pull on the conductor cord which would tend to strain or break the electrical connections at the terminals 25. The closure 49 is preferably held in conductor-cord-clamping or depressing position by means of an annular band or ferrule 26 which is adapted to encircle the neck forming portion |6 of the base l5 and the portion 22 of the closure l9. In addition to the ferrule 26, the closure I9 is held in place by means of a suitably headed screw fastener 21 which projects through the portion 20 of the closure into an enlargement 28 of the shoulder 2|, a'partition 29 extending diametrically across the opening H, but inclining downwardly from the portion 28 of the shoulder 2| between the split or forked end of the conductor cord 24 which is connected to the terminals 25.

As is best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the conductor cord 24 is preferably supported on the headband by means of a suitable number of strainrelief bushings 30 which are suitably secured to the headband, these strain-relief bushings being of any desired construction, such as, for instance, like that disclosed in the Klumpp patents, No. 2,424,758 or No. 2,424,759. Sufficient slack is left in the portion of the conductor cord 24 between I the lamp base I5 and thenearest strain-relief bushing 39 to permit the lamp assembly to be adjusted relative to the headband, as limited by the extent of movement of which the supporting member l3 and the links In arecapable. The end of the conductor cord 24 farthest from the lamp assembly is suitably secured to a connector member 3| which is adapted to be detachably connected to a connector 32, the latter being connected to another conductor cord 33 leading from a suitable source of electric current, such as an ordinary electrical outlet (not shown).

The forward or front end of the base I5 is pro- .vided with a cylindrical projection 34 forming an externally screw-threaded hub. Threadedly engaged with the hub 34 and tightly fitting thereon in gas-tight relation thereto, is a complementary internally screw-threaded hub 35, this hub 35 being centrally formed on a radially extended shell 36 and preferably being an integral part thereof. The shell 36 is provided with a pair of sight openings 3! disposed on the respective opposite sides of a central partition 38, these sight openings being of substantial size and extending arcuately upwardly from the opposite sides of the partition 38 around the hub 35, thereby affording a relatively wide range of side visibility as well as forward visibility.

Disposed about the outer periphery of the shell 38 is an annular reflector portion 39 which is disposed at an angle relative to the central axis of the shell, this portion 39 also preferably being curved slightly in radial section, as seen in Figure '3; The hubs 35, shell 36, partition 38 and reflector portion 39 are preferably formed as an inand the rear surface of the reflector portion 39 is preferably coated with a suitable light reflective material, as indicated at 46 in Figure 3. For protecting the reflective coating 40, there is provided an opaque plastic shield 4|, preferably formed of Tennite or other suitable material, and conforming to the form of the reflector portion 39. The shield 4| is preferably secured about the portion 39 by means of a suitable number of ears or tabs 42, or the like, which extend radially inward from the shield 4| and behind the shell 36 so as to be secured to the body of the shell 36, as by means of plastic pins 43, or the like, which are suitably headed to clamp the tabs 42 against the back of the shell 36. As best seen in Figure 3, the hub 34 of the base I5 is provided with a lamp bulb-receiving opening 44 having a pair of diametrically opposite, longitudinally extended open slots 45 adapted to slidably receive a conventional lamp bulb 46 having laterally projecting positioning pins 41, the pins 41 being slidable in the slots 45 to thus properly position the lamp bulb contacts relative to the base contacts, each of which includes a bushing 48 having a conductive sleeve 49 which houses a spring-pressed ball contact 50 adapted to make electrical contact with one of the conventional spaced contacts on the base of the lamp bulb. Each ball contact assembly is in electrical connection with one of the terminals 25, and is preferably sealed in place by a suitable cement such as litharge and glycerine or the like, so as to make the base l5 explosion-proof. Preferably carried by the hub 35 of the shell 36 is a hollow lens member 5| having a screwthreaded shank 5| threadedly engaged with the hub 35, and tightly fitting therein in gas-ti relation thereto so as to make the lens assembly explosion-proof, with a resilient compression spring 52, or the like, disposed intermediate an interior shoulder 53 within the lens and the 21355 envelope of the lamp bulb 46 for urging the contacts of the lamp bulb into electrical contact with the balls 50. T The. lens 5| includes a radially enlarged longitudinally arched or curved light-directing lens portion 54 extending in a generally axial direction from the shank 5|, this portion 54 merging into a substantially hemispherical lens portion 55 extending axially from the portion 54. The lens 5| generally surrounds the lamp bulb 46, and the,

lens portion 54 is adapted to radially direct light from the lamp bulb 46, the lens portion 55 bein adapted to direct light from the lamp bulb 46 directly forward or axially onto an objective to be illuminated and observed by the user of he headlamp. The reflector 39 is so formed as .to reflect the light. which .is r d lly directed by the lens portion 54,-onto the objective. Thus it is apparent that an observer may view'an obj'ect illuminated by the lamp bulbwthrough the sight openings 3-1 in the shell 36, theilluminating means, including the lamp" bulb 46,the lens5l, and the annular reflector portion 39, beingso constructed and arranged as to illuminate the object both directly, by means of the lens: portion 55, and indirectly, by means of lensportion 54 and reflector 39, from a single source. of light. with an intense light in which shadows are reduced to a minimum.

A shield 51 may be interposed between an exterior annular shoulder 58. on the lens. 5| and the shell 36, this shield 5'!- preferablybeing made 01' an opaque plastic material and being cemented or otherwise secured to the shell 36 for preventing the light from. glaring: back into the eyes of the user of the headlamp. Anotherv annular opaque shield 51" may be used, it'desired, in addition, to or in lieu of shield 512, said shield 51" being tightly held betweenmounting band 60- and the. rear face of the shell. 36, and serving to prevent, light emission from any-exposed corners of. the mounting hub 35.-of the shell..

Tofacilitate the assembly of the headlamp, the hub. 35 is provided with an axially extended peripheral groove 58 extending therearoundand also with an axially extended kcyway or slot 59 formed in the base of the groove 58; the key- .way 59 being open at its rear end or the end adjacent to the base I5. Disposed in the groove 58 is. a, band 60. which encircles the hub 35, this band 60 having the supporting member i3 88- cured thereto, as by; mea-ns of aheaded fastener member 6|, the headed portion of the fastener 61. projecting into-the keyway 59 and thus lookingor restraining the supporting member V I3. and the hub 35 against rotation relativeto the base I5.

In use, a physician, surgeon, or thelike, can

adjust the headband l by means of the adjustable buckle 2 to securely support the weight of the headlamp in a position directly in front of his eyes, the universally connected balls 8 and 9, links Ill, and supporting member I3 enabling a wide range of universal adjustment, as may be required. With the conductor 33 connected to a suitable source of electricity, the lamp bulb 46 will be illuminated, and the lens 5t will indirectly project the light by means of lens portion. and reflector 39, and also directly project thelight by means of lens 55, on an object to be observed, as controlled by required adjustments of the headlamp or movements of the users ead. The resultant illumination of the object will be intense and clean. and the. user will be able to readily and clearly observe. the object through the sight. openings 31 in. the shell. 36, thus greatly facilitating surgical, therapeutic, or other operations The opaque shields 41, 51 and/or 51' preclude any light from glaring or being reflected into the users eyes. If desired, the user may swing the lamp assembly upward to an outof-the-way position until it is again needed.

While the specific details of the invention have been herein shown and described, changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a headlam for physicians, surgeons and the like, the combination with a headband, of a lamp base, means universally mounting said lamp base on the headband, a radially extended shell carried by said lamp base, said shell including an annular reflector and also. including. a. central.

partition extending diametrically. across the shell, said shell having a sight opening. formed therein on each side of said partition, a. lamp mounted in said base, an. electrical conductor ex.- tending into said base and electrically connected with said lamp, and a lens. surrounding said lamp, said lens having means for directing. light from said lamp axially onto an object to be observed and also having means for directing light from said lamp radially to said reflector, said reflector being disposed so as to reflect the: light. fromv the last-mentioned means onto said object.

2. A headlamp as defined in claim 1, wherein the lens comprises a centrally disposed. light-r projecting lens portion and a radially enlarged light-directing lens portion.

3. A- headlamp as defined in claim 1,. wherein saidcentral partition includes a hub, and. said base includes a complementary hub, said. hubs being connected together one within the other.

4. A headlamp of the class described, comprising a lamp base, a radially extended shell carried by said lamp base, said shell including a central partition extending diametrically acrossthe same and an annular reflector disposed about. the outer periphery thereof, said shell also having a. sight opening therethrough on the respective opposite sides of said partition, a lamp bulb located centrally of said shell, means for: establishing-sleep trical contact between said lamp bulband. an-electrical conductor, and lens means surroundingv said lamp bulb for directing light; directly forward onto an object and for: directing lightradially to said reflector, the reflector being. disposed so as to reflect the light. from said lamp bulb onto said object.

5. A headlamp as defined in claim 4,, wherein the lamp base and the shell include complementaryhub portions, said hub. portions being..cooperatively interengaged one within the other for securing the shell to said lamp base. j

6. A headlamp as defined in claim 4, wherein the lamp base and the shell include complementaryhub portions, said hub portions. being. c o. operatively interengaged. one within. the other for securin the shell to said lamp base, andlthe. lens means including a lens having a. shank portion mounted. on one of said hub portions.

7. A headlamp. as. defined in. claim4', wherein the lamp base includes an exteriorly threaded hub, and the shell includes a complemental interiorly threaded hub, said hubs being connected together by said threads with the lamp base hub disposed within said. shell hub.

8. A headlamp as defined in claim 4, wherein the lam base includes an exteriorly' threaded hub; and the shell includes a complemental interiorly threaded hub, said hubs being" connected together by said threads with the lampbase hub disposed within said shell hub, and the lens means including a lens having a screw-threaded shank portion threadedly engaged with the threads in said shell hub.

9. A headlamp as defined in claim 4, wherein said shell is made of a transparent material, the annular reflector having one of its sides coated with a light-reflective material, and an opaque reflector cover carried by said shell and disposed about the coated side of said annular reflector.

10. A headlamp as defined in claim 4, wherein said shell is made of a transparent material, the lens means including a lens having a shank portion connected with said shell, and an opaque shield disposed about said shank portion for shieldingnthe eyes of the user when the headlamp is inuse...

11. 1A headlamp as defined in claim 4, wherein the lamp baseincludes a portion having an electrical" conductor-receiving opening, connecting means for the conductor disposed in said opening, 'afremovable closure forsaid opening, said lamp base having a depression therein, and said closure having a projection extendin into said depression for deforming the conductor torelieve any strain from said connectingmeans incident to strain on theconductor, and means for securing said closure across. said opening.

@212. A headlamp as defined in claim 4, wherein the lamp base includes a portion having an electrical. conductor-receiving opening, connecting means for the conductor disposed in said opening, a removable closure for said opening, said lamp base having a depression therein, and said closure having a projection extending into said depression. for deforming the conductor to relieve any strain from said connecting means incident to 'strainon the conductor, said lamp base and said closure each having an offset portion together forming an offset conductor inlet neck, and a band slidably engageable about said neck for securing said closure across said opening in strain-relieving cooperation with said conductor. 13. A headlamp as defined in claim 4, wherein the lens means includes a lens having an axially extended light-directing portion and a radially enlarged light-directing portion.

14. A headlamp as defined in claim 4, wherein the lens means includes a lens having a shank, a radially enlarged and longitudinally curved light-directing portion extending axially from said shank, and a hemispherical portion extending axially forward from said light-directing enlargement. Y 15. A headlamp of the class described, comprising a lamp base, a radially extended shell carried by said lamp base, said shell having sight openings therethrough and also having an annular reflector about the outer margin thereof, said base having a lamp socket formed therein, a lamp bulb axially slidable into and out of said socket, electrical contact means carried by said base, a hollow lens carried by said shell, said lens surrounding a portion of said lamp bulb, and resilient means interposed between said lens and said lamp bulb for urging said lamp bulb into contact with said electrical contact means, said electrical contact means being adapted to be electrically connected to an electrical conductor.

16. A headlamp of the class described, comprising a lamp base, a hub on said base, a radially extended shell having an annular peripheral reflector and having sight openings therein, said shell also having a hub complementary to the 8 hub on said bfiSQjSaid hubs being detachably connected together one within the other, one of said hubs having a groove extending there: around and also having an axially extended key way in the base of said groove, saidkeyway being open at one end, a band extending around the hub having the groove and seated in said groove, a lamp base-supporting member, a fastener member fastening said supporting member to said band, said fastening member having a portion projecting into said keyway for restraining said supporting member and the hub having the keyway against relative rotative movement, and illuminating means carriedby said lamp base, said illuminating means and the annular reflector being so arrangedas to illuminate an objective both directly and indirectly, when observed through thesight openings in theshell aforesaid, with an intense light. 1 s

17. A headlamp as defined in claim 16, where-. in an opaque shield is disposed about the central portion of said shell, 'said shield being secured against the rear face of said shell by said band.

18. A headlamp of the class described, com.- prising a lamp base, a radially extended trans parent shell carried by said lamp base, said shell including a central partition extending diametrically across the same and an annular reflector disposed about the outer periphery thereof, said shell also having a sight opening therethrough on the respective opposite'sides of said partition, a lamp bulb located centrally of said shell, means for establishing electrical contact between said lamp bulb and an electrical 'conductor, lens means surrounding said lamp bulb for directing light directly forward onto an object and for directing light radially to said reflector, the reflector being disposed so as to reflect the light from said lamp bulb onto said object, and an annular opaque shield disposed about the central portion of said shell for shielding the eyes of the user when the headlamp is in use.

WILLIAM G. ALLYN. FREDERICK MCK. SCOTT.- ERNEST H. GRE-PPIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED 'STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,277,110 Patterson Aug. 27, 1918 1,538,191 Lando May 19, 1925 2,215,634 Collins et' al Sept. 24, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 169,761 Great Britain Oct. 4, 1921 439,649

France Apr. 15, 1912 

